As I sat reading an article a few days ago, I began to think of how this particular article has impacted the real estate industry. The article was discussing the characteristics of the four generations that are in the same work force, and how each generation is struggling with the work practices and ethics of the other. It is clear that REALTORS are not exempt from the struggle, and we are all trying to find our place within our own offices and profession.
This is the first time in American history that four generations have occupied the same workspace. You have the Traditionalist those that were born before 1945, the Baby Boomers those born between 1946- 1964, Gen X'rs those born between 1965- 1980, and the Gen Y'rs those born between 1981- 2000. Each of these generations have very different views on work ethic, leadership style, and communication.
I find myself in the Gen X era, and I know from working with mostly Baby Boomers and Traditionalist in my office that challenges occur on a daily basis. The Boomers in the office are "all work and no play". True workaholics, their vacation IS work. There seems to be collegial sense of leadership style, and in the Boomers words- real estate is still an "in person" business.
Now the Traditionalist in my office, they are the rule players; they work hard and have a respect for authority. The leadership style of the Traditionalist is very in command and in control, however that communication style is totally lacking in the technology era. The Traditionalist has issues checking email, and we are lucky if they have a flip phone, and a "smart phone" to them is one that rings. They prefer to have communications in memo form and wanted it delivered to their desk in black and white, and not by email.
The Gen Y'rs are pretty much slim to none in my office, but there are a few. These are the ones that really frustrate the Boomers. (I know this because my Principal Broker- who happens to be my mother- is a Boomer, and she is always frustrated with the Gen Y'rs in the office.) The Y'rs are those that are the "whenever I want it- just a push of the button" generation. I have not put my finger on the leadership style of this generation, so that is still TBD. The work ethic is "get it done and move to the next thing", it's just a job and there are plenty of other jobs out there. Gen Y'rs don't answer the phone, but they will email or text you within seconds of contacting them in this form.
Of course that leaves us with the Gen X'rs, and in my opinion they are the most well rounded (of course I could be partial to my own generation). Gen X'rs want structure in the workplace, they work to eliminate a task, and seem to very skeptical. The leadership style of the X'rs is to ask why, treat everyone the same, and challenge others. Communication styles for the Gen X'rs are sometimes mistaken as rude or impersonal, because of the direct nature and the immediate response. Technology does not seem to be too much of a struggle for the Generation X, it's the use of it in a direct manner that seems to create the problems.
So what does this mean to the future of our industry.... Our business is based on understanding others. Most of us think the only way, is our way, and I am as guilty as anyone with that thinking. However, I have come to learn that in business, as well as in personal life, that is just not true. To increase productivity, work effectively and efficiently, we all need to understand how each generation is wired and learn to tap into their strengths.
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